Van Andel Institute is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 Fact Sheet

3 By the Numbers

4 Leadership Biographies

6 Center for

7 Center for Neurodegenerative Science

8 Center for and Cell Biology

9 Core Technologies and Services

10 Graduate School

11 Van Andel Education Institute

12 Frequently Asked Questions

1 Fact Sheet By the Numbers

WHAT WE STUDY WHERE WE COLLABORATE Neurofibromatosis type 1 Osteoporosis Blood cancer Depression Structural biology Parkinson’s disease Bone Asthma disease EPIGENETICS Aging Ovarian Cancer Cancer Sarcoma Heart disease Osteoarthritis Diabetes Colorectal cancer

A DEDICATED TEAM VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL, Van Andel Institute has more than FOSTERING TOMORROW’S LEADERS 364 employees, with 234 of them working in research and graduate education. 33 VAIGS faculty members

Through biomedical FOUNDED: 1996 by Jay and Betty Van Andel 5.4 year average time to Ph.D. LOCATION: Grand Rapids, research and science MISSION STATEMENT: Through biomedical research and science 3 seven-week laboratory rotations education, education, Van Andel Institute is committed to improving the health during the first two semesters and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Van Andel Institute is VARI VAEI VAI WHO ARE WE? years of doctoral candidate thesis committed to Van Andel Institute is an agile biomedical research and science 3 education institute known for breaking down barriers that hold innovation research in a faculty mentor’s lab improving the health captive. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) is a world leader in cancer and enhancing the epigenetics and Parkinson’s disease research. Collaborating with academia, industry and philanthropy, the Institute orchestrates VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC IMPACT lives of current and cutting-edge clinical trials to improve human health. VAEI has worked with more than future generations. Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) is leading a national 36 principal investigators revolution in science education by uniquely empowering teachers to engage students to think and act like scientists. cores 3,800 students Van Andel Institute Graduate School (VAIGS) develops future 8 leaders in biomedical research through an intense problem-focused and Ph.D. degree in cell and molecular genetics. 3 fellows of the American Association 3,100 teachers Purple Community is Van Andel Institute’s grassroots community for Cancer Research Academy since 1996. awareness and fundraising program that connects individuals, schools, teams and companies who want to join the fight against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases to the resources needed for action. 3 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

3 members of the National Academy of Sciences *All numbers current as of October 2017

2 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE 3 Leadership Biographies VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE In addition to managing his laboratory at Van Andel Research Institute and serving as director of the Institute’s Center for Neurodegenerative Science, he is the co-editor-in-chief of the Peter Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease and chair of the Linked Clinical Chief Scientific Officer; Director, Trials committee, which aims to repurpose already approved Center for Epigenetics drugs to treat Parkinson’s. Brundin also has coordinated multiple international research programs. David Van Andel Dr. Peter Jones is a pioneer in the field of epigenetics, particularly Chairman and its role in cancer. His laboratory Chief Executive Officer discovered the effects of the epigenetic drug 5-azacytidine on Bart Williams, Ph.D. David Van Andel is Chairman and CEO of Van Andel Institute in Grand cytosine methylation and he first established the link between Director, Center for Cancer Rapids, Michigan. He is also an entrepreneur involved in several other DNA methylation, gene expression and cell differentiation. His and Cell Biology work has led to the development of novel cancer therapies business interests in the natural and life science products industries. that target the epigenome. His current research continues Dr. Bart Williams is an internationally these efforts with a focus on finding additional new treatments recognized expert in bone biology, The son of , founder of Van Andel Institute and co-founder to better combat, or even prevent, cancer. specifically in the area of Wnt signaling of Corporation, he is currently a member of Amway’s Board of in health and disease states. His Directors and serves on its Executive, Governance and Audit committees. Jones joined the University of Southern California (USC) in laboratory at Van Andel Research 1977, after earning a Ph.D. from the University of London. Prior to leading Van Andel Institute, he had been in various positions Institute studies the role of the Wnt pathway in normal bone He served as director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer development and in cancers that commonly spread to the bone (such at Amway since 1977, including chief operating officer of Amway’s Pyxis Center between 1993 and 2011. In 2013, he was appointed to his as prostate, breast and lung cancers). He is also an expert in the Innovations Business Unit, and was senior vice president–Americas and current position as chief scientific officer of Van Andel Research development of preclinical models of skeletal disease and cancer. Europe, overseeing Amway business activities in North America and in Institute (VARI) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he also leads a lab and serves as director of the Institute’s Center for Epigenetics. Williams received his Ph.D. in biology from Massachusetts Institute 22 European and 11 Latin American affiliates. Jones is a past president of the American Association for Cancer of Technology in 1996 where he trained with Tyler Jacks. For Research (AACR), a Fellow of the AACR Academy, a Fellow of the three years, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes American Association for the Advancement of Science and was of Health (NIH) in the laboratory of Harold Varmus, former director elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He has published of NIH. Williams joined Van Andel Research Institute as a scientific more than 300 scientific papers and received several honors, investigator in July 1999. He is now a professor and the director including the Outstanding Investigator Grant from the National of the Institute’s Center for Cancer and Cell Biology. He has served Cancer Institute. He and his colleague Dr. Stephen Baylin on more than two dozen NIH study sections and also serves on VAN ANDEL EDUCATION INSTITUTE shared the Kirk A. Landon Award for Basic Cancer Research from numerous additional grant and conference review committees. the AACR in 2009 and the Medal of Honor from the American He is currently an editorial board member for several journals, Cancer Society in 2011. He and Baylin led the first Stand Up To including the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Journal of Clinical Cancer (SU2C) Epigenetics Dream Team and currently lead the Investigation, Bone Research and PLoS One. Terra Tarango VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE SCHOOL VARI–SU2C Epigenetics Dream Team. Van Andel Education Institute Director and Education Officer

Terra Tarango is an accomplished Steven J. Triezenberg, Ph.D. Scott Jewell, Ph.D. executive in the education industry Dean, Van Andel Institute Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D. Director, Core Technologies with more than 15 years of experience Graduate School; Professor, in educational publishing and services. Associate Director of and Services Center for Epigenetics, Research; Director, Center for Prior to joining Van Andel Institute, Van Andel Research Institute Tarango served as president of SDE, one of the largest providers Neurodegenerative Science Dr. Scott Jewell earned his master’s of professional development for pre-K through 12th grade degree and Ph.D. in experimental educators in the U.S. Before that, she developed award-winning Dr. Steven J. Triezenberg received Dr. Patrik Brundin is one of the and immunology from print and digital curriculum with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the his bachelor’s degree in biology and top cited researchers in the field The Ohio State University. He largest educational publisher in the nation. She is an expert in education from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His Ph.D. of neuroscience with more than served at Ohio State as director for instructional climate and culture and has devoted her career to training in cell and molecular biology at the 300 publications on Parkinson’s the Human Tissue Resource Network and as associate director increasing curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in the classroom. was followed by postdoctoral research at the Carnegie Institution of disease and related topics. He has 35 years of experience of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Biorepository and Washington. Before joining Van Andel Institute in 2006, Triezenberg studying neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s disease Biospecimen Resource, where his dedicated, creative efforts led As Van Andel Education Institute’s (VAEI) director and education was a faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry and pathogenesis and therapeutic neural transplantation into people to the development of a state-of-the-art tissue procurement and officer, Tarango oversees VAEI and its efforts to improve science Molecular Biology at Michigan State University for more than 18 with Parkinson’s. His current research focuses on pathogenic biorepository system. He was elected president of the International and inquiry-based instruction in K-12 education. She and her team years. He also served at MSU as associate director of the Graduate mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease, as well as the development Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) provide innovative science programs for students and world-class Program in Cell and Molecular Biology. He is currently dean of Van of new therapies that slow or stop disease progression, or repair for 2009–2010 and joined Van Andel Research Institute in 2010 professional development for educators. She also spearheads Andel Institute Graduate School and served as director of Van Andel damaged brain circuits. He was among the first to articulate as a professor and as director of the Program for Technologies the global expansion of NexGen Inquiry®—VAEI’s web-based, Education Institute from 2009 to 2015. In addition to his education the “prion-like” hypothesis of Parkinson’s, which describes how and Cores and of the Program for Biospecimen Science. He is interactive teaching and learning platform designed to support efforts, he also leads a laboratory in Van Andel Research Institute’s abnormal proteins related to the disease spread from cell to currently a member of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) professional development and engage students in self-directed, Center for Epigenetics, where his research focuses on the regulation of cell in the brain, causing the cellular damage that perpetuates Biorepository Accreditation Program and the editorial board of the hands-on science investigations. gene expression during herpes simplex virus infections. Parkinson’s. journal Biopreservation and Biobanking.

4 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE 5 Van Andel Research Institute Van Andel Research Institute CENTER FOR EPIGENETICS CENTER FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE SCIENCE

Van Andel Research Institute’s Center for Epigenetics is dedicated Epigenetics control how DNA Van Andel Research Institute’s Center for Neurodegenerative Seven to 10 million people globally to the study of epigenetic and epigenomic mechanisms in Science focuses on the development of novel therapies is used, switching particular cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, with the ultimate goal that slow or stop the progression of neurodegenerative have Parkinson’s disease. There of developing new, more effective therapies that change the genes “on” or “off” to diseases, in particular, Parkinson’s disease. It is committed have been few major breakthroughs standard of care for patients. Extensive research in recent years determine cell type and to establishing clinical trials to advance the next generation in therapeutic development for has demonstrated the vital role epigenetic modifications play in of therapies that change the course of Parkinson’s and, function. Errors in epigenetic a range of diseases, including cancer, which often has epigenetic ultimately, that repair damage and restore function. As Parkinson’s in the last 50 years, with abnormalities as well as genetic errors. The Center is led by VARI’s controls play significant part of these efforts, the Center collaborates with The Cure the exception of the gold standard Chief Scientific Officer Peter Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc., a world-renowned roles in the development of Parkinson’s Trust on Linked Clinical Trials, an initiative to therapy, levodopa, and deep brain epigenetics expert and pioneer in the field. VARI also is home to repurpose drugs used to treat other diseases as potential cancer and have been linked the Van Andel Research Institute–Stand Up To therapies for Parkinson’s. The Center is led by Patrik Brundin, stimulation surgery. While these Dream Team, a multi-institutional effort that focuses on moving to other conditions such as M.D., Ph.D., an internationally renowned Parkinson’s disease therapies mitigate symptoms, they promising epigenetic therapies into clinical trials, a crucial step to neurodegenerative diseases. expert and chair of the Linked Clinical Trials international do not correct the underlying cause get much-needed treatments to patients. scientific committee. of Parkinson’s or repair damage.

RESEARCH AREAS UNDERSTANDING BASIC MECHANISMS: The Center includes world leaders in RESEARCH AREAS DISEASE MODIFICATION: Scientists in the Center are searching for ways to interfere with Epigenetics epigenetics research who are dedicated to studying the intricate epigenetic mechanisms Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease progression, allowing patients more symptom-free years. that play key roles in health and disease. (primary focus) Cancer BRAIN REPAIR: Cell transplantation and gene therapy are two innovative approaches to Heart disease EPIGENETIC THERAPIES: Enhancing the understanding of epigenetic mechanisms Depression/suicide repairing the brain and restoring lost brain functions. gives scientists the tools to develop new targeted therapies that correct epigenetic errors Aging Neuroepigenetics BIOMARKER DISCOVERY: Biomarkers can support earlier and more precise diagnosis; in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions. Prion disease (in collaboration consequently, disease-modifying therapies can start earlier and their effects monitored with the Center for FROM THE LAB TO THE CLINIC: By teaming up with other leaders in the field and Alzheimer’s disease objectively. Neurodegenerative breaking down barriers to innovation, VARI and its collaborators are harnessing their Huntington’s disease Science) combined expertise to accelerate the translation of basic scientific discoveries to the clinic. Neuroepigenetics Structural biology

6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE 7 Van Andel Research Institute Van Andel Research Institute CENTER FOR CANCER AND CELL BIOLOGY CORE TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2016, an estimated 1,685,210 new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. according to the National Cancer Institute.

Led by Bart Williams, Ph.D., scientists in the Center for Cancer and Cell Biology study the Van Andel Research Institute’s Core Technologies and VARI’s Biorepository is accredited by basic mechanisms that underlie the development of cancer and other diseases such as Services provide the technical framework and specialized the College of American Pathologists diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and pediatric disease syndromes. The ultimate expertise needed for innovative and efficient biomedical goal of this work is to improve quality of life for patients through the development of better research. Led by Scott Jewell, Ph.D., VARI’s eight cores and provides biospecimen and diagnostics and therapies. The Center is home to experts in a range of disciplines, including are home to state-of-the-art equipment and highly biobanking services for several structural, functional, computational, chemical and systems biology approaches. knowledgeable scientific staff, which help the Institute’s National Institutes of Health (NIH)- labs complete impactful experiments to better understand

RESEARCH AREAS SKELETAL DISEASE AND TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT: One of the Center’s key diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s. Shared resources funded projects, including the Asthma focus areas is understanding why some tumor types (such as breast, prostate and lung like these constitute the critical infrastructure of research cancers) are highly predisposed to spread to and proliferate in bone. In parallel with Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Blood cancer institutions around the world, and the groundbreaking work these efforts, scientists work to develop improved treatments for other diseases that affect Consortium (CPTAC), the National Bone cancer the musculoskeletal system, including neurofibromatosis type 1, osteosarcoma and soft- underway at VARI would not be possible without them. Breast cancer tissue sarcomas, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and developmental disorders. Cancer Institute’s Biorepository Colorectal cancer STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY: Using specialized methods to determine the specific shapes of AREAS OF EXPERTISE Diabetes key molecules at the microscopic level, VARI scientists are facilitating the design of the next and Biospecimen Research Anatomic and bone histopathology/ Neurofibromatosis type 1 generation of more targeted and more effective drug therapies with fewer side effects. Cytogenetics /immunohistochemistry Branch, and NIH’s Genotype- Osteoarthritis MOLECULAR BASIS OF CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES: Through a detailed / Osteoporosis understanding of cell signaling, cell structure, metabolism and genetic drivers of disease, Biorepository management Tissue Expression project; and Pancreatic cancer scientists in the Center use a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the molecular Quantitative digital imaging underpinnings of cancer and other diseases to develop more precise and effective Biospecimen science for numerous premier research Prostate cancer Small-animal imaging diagnostics and therapies. CRISPR/Cas9 Sarcoma Transgenics organizations and initiatives Confocal microscopy Vivarium management Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) throughout the U.S., including the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s CoMMpass study.

8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE 9 Van Andel Institute Graduate School Van Andel Education Institute

Van Andel Institute Van Andel Institute Graduate School develops future leaders Van Andel Education Institute is leading a national revolution in VAEI’s products and in biomedical research through an intense, problem-focused science education by empowering teachers to engage students Graduate School earned Ph.D. degree in cell and molecular genetics. By combining to think and act like scientists. Led by experienced and dedicated services are designed accreditation from rigorous, inquiry-based coursework with extensive hands-on educators, VAEI provides hands-on, practice-based, inquiry learning to improve instruction the Higher Learning experience in laboratories led by the Institute’s expert faculty, the opportunities for students from elementary through high school. by creating classrooms Graduate School prepares students for careers as independent VAEI’s products and services are designed to improve instruction by C o m m i s s i o n i n 2 0 1 3 . investigators in biomedical research. The program thrives within creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking where curiosity, creativity T h i s d i s t i n c t i o n the state-of-the-art facilities of Van Andel Institute, with access thrive. and critical thinking represents affirmation to extensive core technology support and the resources of thrive. collaborators in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and around the country. by the higher education community that the FROM STUDENT TO SCIENTIST STUDENT PROGRAMS Using an innovative, problem-based learning approach, graduate students are trained VAEI programs offer unique learning experiences for K-12 students, designed to enhance science understanding and Graduate School meets to conduct high-caliber science and to translate basic findings in cellular, molecular provoke enthusiasm in pursuing science learning and careers. VAEI offers Field Experience, High School Journal Club, and epigenetic biology to clinical approaches, blending discovery with invention and Out-of-School Time Cohort and Science on Saturdays programs to help cultivate students’ passion for science. insight with application. rigorous academic PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ® FOSTERING TOMORROW’S LEADERS VAEI’s model for scientific inquiry and instruction—known as QPOE2 (Question, Prediction, Observation, Explanation and standards. The Graduate School is committed to developing tomorrow’s scientific leaders, not Evaluation)—empowers teachers across the country with modern career-development programs, skills and new instructional

only through rigorous scientific education, but also through the development of vital techniques for delivering their curriculum. QPOE2 is part of a broader Community of Scientific Practice model that includes professional skills such as leadership, ethics, responsible and effective conduct of creating a Socially and Language-Rich Environment for learning, and fostering the Scientific Habits of Mind. research, public speaking, and grant and technical writing. NEXGEN INQUIRY® MENTORSHIP AND NETWORKING NexGen Inquiry is a web-based platform providing interactive classroom tools to support teachers and students with Thanks to a low student–faculty ratio, graduate students receive extensive and implementation of VAEI’s Community of Scientific Practice instructional model. The innovative program places students at thoughtful mentorship from the Institute’s distinguished faculty, who have made the center of self-directed, hands-on scientific investigations that challenge them to come up with their own questions and significant contributions to the scientific community. Students also meet with esteemed design strategic ways to find answers. The platform supports existing science education curriculum and integrates teacher speakers from around the world as part of the Institute’s seminar series and scientific professional development, as well as a web-based teacher community and resource library. symposia.

10 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE 11 Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS BASIC RESEARCH? WHAT MAKES VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE GRADUATE Basic research is systematic study directed toward obtaining SCHOOL UNIQUE? greater knowledge or understanding. VARI scientists conduct The Graduate School uses an inquiry-based method that allows basic research to better understand how normal biological students to spend the majority of their time conducting research processes occur and how diseases function. in labs. Thanks to a low student–faculty ratio, students receive extensive WHAT IS TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH? and thoughtful mentorship from the Institute’s expert faculty. Translational research aims to make findings from basic science Students in the Graduate School are supported by a generous useful for practical applications that enhance human health and financial stipend and benefits, lessening the financial burden and well-being. Quite literally, it means translating lab findings into allowing students to focus on their research and academic work. new therapies. IS VAN ANDEL EDUCATION INSTITUTE A FULL-TIME DOES VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE TREAT PATIENTS? SCHOOL? We do not treat patients at Van Andel Institute, although several No. VAEI provides science education programming to of our scientists are also clinicians who practice at area hospitals. supplement traditional school coursework. Many discoveries made by VARI scientists do move to clinical trials in collaboration with clinical partners. You can find out more about clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov. WHY DOES THE EDUCATION INSTITUTE USE INQUIRY- BASED SCIENCE INSTRUCTION? DOES VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE CONDUCT Inquiry-based science instruction requires students to think CLINICAL TRIALS? and act like scientists—posing hypotheses; deriving questions; designing and carrying out investigations; collecting data, VARI does not conduct clinical trials onsite at its Grand Rapids and testing and communicating the results. This progressive facility. However, VARI scientists collaborate with clinical partners approach to science instruction requires more critical thinking in the U.S. and abroad to conduct clinical trials. In fact, moving and scientific reasoning from students than traditional treatments into clinical trials is a key component in two of VARI’s approaches to learning. largest collaborations—the Van Andel Research Institute-Stand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team and the Linked Clinical Trials initiative. For more information on open trials, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

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